Tuesday, April 27, 2010

One of the most important aspects of having a business, is attracting new customers as well as keeping the ones that you already have. The way a business is advertised is very important in the success of a brand. That is why Alta Moda has multiple ways of advertising through different forms of media.

One of the ways that Alta Moda is going to advertise to its customers is by sending emails regarding and promotions or sales occurring in the Alta Moda store. This will allows for all customers to be aware of any promotional practices that are occurring as well as draw customers into the store. Since email is a massive form of communication and many people have their emails set up that go directly to their phones, this is the perfect way to update customers.

Another way that Alta Moda is going to advertise is through websites such as www.facebook.com. This is an online social community and will allow for anyone to make a profile page for free. This is a cost-effective way to advertise the brand Alta Moda as well as letting customers know about the latest news, any updates regarding new designers that have been brought into the store, as well as becoming "friends" with any of their favorite designers sold in Alta Moda. Not only does this advertise for Alta Moda, but also is a good way for designers carried throughout our store to gain recognition.

The last form of advertisement is the good ol' fashioned way, through a newspaper. The Nashville Scene is one of the most popular magazine choices and reaches 50,000 people in the Nashville area. Unlike the above mentioned advertising efforts, it does cost money to advertise in this magazine. Advertising begins at $235 per issue. Because most of our clientele use email and facebook, this method is only used for main change of seasons, including Fall/Winter/Spring which minimizes the overall cost of advertising through a magazine because it is only a couple of times through the year.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Alta Moda is a sole-proprietorship. According to www.nolo.com, sole-proprietorship is a one-person business that is not registered with the state as a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC).

Sole proprietorships are so easy to set up and maintain that you may already own one without knowing it. For instance, if you are a freelance photographer or writer, a craftsperson who takes jobs on a contract basis, a salesperson who receives only commissions, or an independent contractor who isn't on an employer's regular payroll, you are automatically a sole proprietor.

However, even though a sole proprietorship is the simplest of business structures, you shouldn't fall asleep at the wheel. You may have to comply with local registration, business license, or permit laws to make your business legitimate. And you should look sharp when it comes to tending your business, because you are personally responsible for paying both income taxes and business debts.

Since Alta Moda is located in Nashville, TN I found that it costs $42 annually in the city and $22 to obtain my business license in Davidson county. Alta Moda is a brand that is based as a retail store for now. Since it is a growing brand, additional locations of Alta Moda will grow as well as the potential to have a website. As a brand, having additional locations and an option for customers to shop online provides customers multiple ways to shop Alta Moda. Liability for a company is very important and according to multiple websites general liability coverage for sole-proprietorship costs around $800/ a year in premiums.

Below is additional information regarding a sole-proprietorship from www.nolo.com

Personal Liability for Business Debts

A sole proprietor can be held personally liable for any business-related obligation. This means that if your business doesn't pay a supplier, defaults on a debt, or loses a lawsuit, the creditor can legally come after your house or other possessions.

By contrast, the law provides owners of corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) with what's called "limited personal liability" for business obligations. This means that, unlike sole proprietors and general partners, owners of corporations and LLCs can normally keep their house, investments, and other personal property even if their business fails. If you will be engaged in a risky business you may want to consider forming a corporation or an LLC. You can learn more about limiting your personal liability for business obligations by reading Nolo's articles on corporations and LLC.

Paying Taxes on Business Income

In the eyes of the law, a sole proprietorship is not legally separate from the person who owns it. The fact that a sole proprietorship and its owner are one and the same means that a sole proprietor simply reports all business income or losses on his or her individual income tax return -- IRS Form 1040, with Schedule C attached.

As a sole proprietor, you'll have to take responsibility for withholding and paying all income taxes -- something an employer would normally do for you. This means you'll have to pay a "self-employment" tax, which consists of contributions to Social Security and Medicare, and pay estimated taxes throughout the year.

Registering Your Sole Proprietorship

Unlike an LLC or a corporation, you generally don't have to file any special forms or pay any fees to start working as a sole proprietor. All you have to do is state that your business is a sole proprietorship when you complete the general registration requirements that apply to all new businesses.

Most cities and many counties do require businesses -- even tiny home-based sole proprietorships -- to register with them and pay at least a minimum tax. In return, your business will receive a business license or tax registration certificate. You may also have to obtain an employer identification number from the IRS (if you have employees), a seller's license from your state, and a zoning permit from your local planning board.

If you do business under a name different from your own (such as "Custom Coding" instead of "Jim Smith Graphics"), you usually must register that name -- known as a fictitious, or assumed, business name -- with your county. For more information on filing and publishing a fictitious business name statement.

In practice, lots of businesses are small enough to get away with ignoring these requirements. But if you are caught, you may be subject to back taxes and other penalties.

Who dosen't love Nicole Richie? From her Bohemian elegant style to her free spirit she is definitely a favorite of Alta Moda's. She just seems to do it all and with her success of House of Harlow 1960 and her new contemporary line Winter Kate's we thought she was the perfect representation for our newest Alta Moda advertisement. She also has announced that in her Spring 2010 collection, her line House of Harlow 1960 will also be adding handbags! Is there anything you can't do Nicole?

Friday, April 23, 2010

Alta Moda is located in the heart of Nashville, at 308 Broadway. This is a great location because it is one of the most popular streets to go on in Nashville as well as a very popular tourist location. It was built in 1900 which makes it a historical retail space. This space is also provided with 10 parking spaces as well as city parking which allows for customers to come to Alta Moda with ease. The space that we are leasing is 3,000 sq/ft and is at a rate of $20 per sq/ft per year which comes out to be $60,000 annually. Taxes and insurance are typically around $1300 per month. This location is perfect because it is located with restaurants, local shops and other retail stores which draws more customers in.

Hand Brushed Copper Finish

Decorative S-Shaped Accents

Stylish Decorative Top

Includes Casters for Easy Mobility

lesman Rack with stylish welded corners. Our Raw Steel Salesman Racks make displaying your merchandise easier than ever. Since they have wheels just roll them out when you need them.Our Raw Steel design features a stylish mottled brushed metal finish. Goes perfectly with rest of our Boutique Line. All of our Boutique Clothing Racks come standard with flat caps or give you the option of adding your own custom touch by adding one of our four Finial designs to the top of rack. Finials easily attach and detach allowing flexibility to the look of your store.

Price:$23.95/per unit

Mottled Brushed with Metal Finish

Stylish Welded Corners

Adjustable from 48" to 72"

Customizable with Custom Finials

Our Raw Steel Single Costumer allows you to highlight the latest fashions with class and elegance. Our Raw Steel Costumer is adjustable from 48" to 72" giving you flexibility, Our Raw Steel design features a stylish mottled brushed metal finish. Goes perfect with rest of our Boutique Line. All of our Boutique Clothing Racks come standard with flat caps or give you the option of adding your own custom touch by adding one of our four Finial designs to the top of rack. Finials easily attach and detach allowing flexibility to the look of your store.

Price: $72.50/per case of 100

17" Wood All Purpose Notched HangersFinish: Natural

These 17" all purpose notched wooden hangers are made of natural wood with a clear varnish finish. These wholesale wood hangers are accented in silver metal, which provide extra strength and durability.

Price: $87.50/per case of 100

4" Wooden Skirt and Pant Hangers

Finish: Natural

These 14" wooden skirt and pant hangers with spring clips are made of natural wood with a clear varnish finish. Silver metal accents provide extra strength and dur ability

Off Signs are great promotional tools to use store-wide or adjacent to specific merchandise. Signs are 7" x11" durable scratch-resistant, pebbled finish, heavy-duty plastic. White print on red background

Price: $129.00

Reliable Steamer

Reliable Steamer delivers exceptional performance for less! Features include: One gallon wa ter capacity. Easy-roll casters to make unit portable, Power indicator light lets you know unit is on, Steamer automatically shuts off if allowed to run dry, Stores upright in a small space, and a Flexible hose that hangs on its own hook. Provides clean, professional results every time.

These frosted, clear plastic shopping bags are a popular choice for many retailers and are ideal for packing a shopper's purchase or adding colored tissue for simple, yet elegant gift bags. Each frosty bag is made of high density plastic for durability and features loop handles.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Stop by Alta Moda on Earth Day, April 22nd and receive 50% off all Eco-friendly brands! Not only do you receive an amazing discount but 20% of all proceeds from the purchases go to organizations committed to saving our environment like: The Conservation Fund, EcoTrust and Environmental Defense Fund. Not only will you look great, but you'll feel great about your purchases! Also, you will receive a free tote bag with your purchase. Store it with groceries or carry your school books in it, either way you'll love your Eco-fashionable bag!

Alta Moda loves the Earth! And to show our thanks for everything that this great planet has given to us, Alta Moda now carries designer lines that are eco-friendly and totally fashionable! It's important that everyone starts wearing clothes that are more eco-friendly because every little step that we can take saves our planet. Not only can you feel good, but you can look good doing it! Be Eco-fashionable in brands like:

Nadia Nour

The Essentials

Big city lights, big time style. Inspired by her home town NYC, a city as practical as it is original, designer Nadia Nour develops vibrantly hued, well-tailored dresses and separates meant for layering and long term investment. Eschewing trends for developing a confident, personal sense of style, Nadia Nour promotes expression and innovation in the most sophisticated way possible.

Ethic-Chic

Nadia Nour’s production is centered in the NY garment district, employing seasoned professionals. Organic textiles such as silk and cotton are used, as are vegetable dyes, and vintage fabrics.

http://www.ecofashionworld.com/

Lav and Kush

The Essentials

For those of you who want to polish up on your Hindu mythology, Lav&Kush are the royal twins born to lord Ram and their earth mother Sita. They are raised in the forest, become the protectors of the woods and represent music, beauty, and strength. Those qualities are also found in the clothing line Lav&Kush, which could be just perfect for those of you more interested on polishing up your flirting skills. Lush materials and feminine urban styling are the trademarks of this Canadian collection.

Ethic-Chic

Lav& Kush garments are mostly made from or

ganic cotton and sustainable fabrics such as bamboo and soy. All clothes are manufactured in Canada. A percentage of their sales goes to PETA, Imagine 1 Day and the BC SPCA.

http://www.ecofashionworld.com/

Chlorine of Los Angeles

The Essentials:

Venture off the well-trodden path and carry a bag with signature style. Most designer ‘it bags’ can be a little too trendy and ubiquitous to satisfy. Vintage is an alternative, but vintage is often a little too, well, old. Chlorine of Los Angeles offers the perfect solution—vintage bags restored and refurbished with an eye toward creating modern, sophisticated carry-able art. Beautifully chic evening clutches bedecked in jewels and feathers, classic totes of manageable size and smart detailing, and clever purses with elegant chain straps denote a time when carrying a designer purse meant more than buying a label.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Many companies are increasingly becoming more fur-free and aware of the cruel and unfair treatment of animals. According to the humane society of the United States, they classify fur-free designers and companies as those rejecting cruelty and potential consumer deception by adopting fur-free policies. Because of this, Alta Moda has teamed up with the organization Fur is Dead to donate 10% of all merchandise purchased from certain designers within our store that are fur-free. Also, Fur is Dead always accepts donations of fur from those who are against animal cruelty. During May 7th-9th, if you donate a fur you recieve 20% off of any merchandise in the store. According to furisdead.com, donations of old fur can save an animals life as well as help those in need.

Your old furs could save an animal's life—and gain you a tax deduction!

Now that winter is over, instead of putting that outdated fur back into storage or shoving it into the back of your closet for another year, why not make the compassionate choice to live a fur-free lifestyle? Your tax-deductible donation of unwanted fur coats and stoles helps with our educational displays and anti-fur "fashion shows" and provides bedding for needy animals.

Your unwanted furs may also help people in need. Because of the vast number of furs that we receive, we donate many of them to homeless people who can't afford to buy their own coats—the only people who have any excuse to wear fur. Every year, PETA holds a few "fur kitchens" at homeless shelters around the country, and we've even shipped hundreds of furs to help warm the women and children freezing in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Alta Moda is a brand built on the idea of elegance and luxury. So of course our logo has to do the same. This simple, yet elegant logo is represented on the storefront, as hang-tags, on business cards, as well as the future face of our logo for our anticipated website! Our customer knows when they see this logo, they can depend on only the finest merchandise.

When I first had this idea of having my own brand, certain things came to mind. In the future I'm going to want to have an online website representing AltaModa. This will make it easier for my customer to shop our product in the convenience of their own home, as well as globally get the brand of AltaModa to all.

To do this I went to the U.S Patents and Trademarks website and ensured the name of my business AltaModa. The name AltaModa is available to be trademarked. The fee for applying online and through a paper form is different. The fee for applying with a paper form is $ 375, while applying online is only $325. Obviously the smarter choice would be to apply online, which is exactly what I did.

I wanted my website to have a web address that would be easy for the customer to find, as well as something that represented my brand globally and would prevent any confusion, I chose the web address www.altamodaamore.com. Originally, I wanted my web address to be www.altamoda.com but unfortunately the name is unavailable and is on back order. This domain name www.altamodaamore.com is available and costs $10.69 per year to purchase the domain name as well as $10.69 annually to keep the domain name as well as $2.99 to certify the domain.

Monday, March 29, 2010

The Alta Moda brand is a boutique style store that carries all of your favorite designer merchandise. Looking for the perfect dress? A pair of jeans that fit you perfectly? Or a cute top to wear to dinner? Alta Moda has you covered! Alta Moda provides all the designer merchandise your looking for all in one location. We have brands for the customer with the more expensive taste such as: Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Dior, Chanel,Christian Lacoix,Diane von Furstenburg and Marc Jacobs. But don't worry, Alta Moda knows that not everyone can afford brands such as those above which is why we also carry brands you love like: J Brand, Hudson, BCBG, Michael Kors, Rachel Roy, House of Harlow and many many more! Alta Moda is located in the prime fashion cities around the United States. Reaching out to L.A, Miami, Chicago and New York. The cliental is concerned with high fashion items with only the best quality and of the latest trends. The Alta Moda client ranges from being in their mid-twenties to their mid-thirties. Since the product that is provided is of higher price points, the clientele is usually middle-upper class or upper-class but Alta Moda's doors are open to all who just want to look at fabulous designer goods!